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Review of Sweet Sweet Jamaica

Sweet Sweet Jamaica

Gilzene & The Blue Light Mento Band

World Village WV479037

Rating: ★★★★

Before soca came calypso; before salsa there was son. And if you’ve ever wondered what Jamaica danced to before ska,...

Reviewed by Simon Lee in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo

The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo

Steve Martin

Rounder Records CDROUN0637

Rating: ★★★

Steve Martin’s talent as a clawhammer and Scruggs-style banjoist fares on this album much as his talent as a comic...

Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Throw Down Your Heart: Tales from the Acoustic Planet Vol 3

Throw Down Your Heart: Tales from the Acoustic Planet Vol 3

Bela Fleck

Rounder 1166106342

Rating: ★★★★

When American banjo player Bela Fleck decided to investigate his instrument's origins in Africa, he set in motion a film...

Reviewed by Rose Skelton in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Arrogance, Ignorance & Greed

Arrogance, Ignorance & Greed

Show of Hands

Hands On Music HMCD 29

Rating: ★★★★

The songs and music of Show of Hands – the West Country duo Steve Knightley and Phil Beer – create...

Reviewed by Nathaniel Handy in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of I Can See the Gates of Heaven

I Can See the Gates of Heaven

Marta Sebestyén

World Village 450009

Rating: ★★★★

Marta Sebestyén is foremost amongst Hungary’s traditional international fame thanks to her recordings with the band Muzsikás, released on Joe...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Ballads: Murder, pIntrigue, Love, Discord

Ballads: Murder, pIntrigue, Love, Discord

Alistair Anderson

Topic TSCD427

Rating: ★★★

Topic continue to mark their 70th anniversary with the release of seven classic albums from their catalogue in sumptuously packaged...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Tzadik TZ8115

Tzadik TZ8115

Boris Malkovsky Time Petah-Tiqva

Full Price

Rating: ★★★★

Boris Malkovsky is a Russian-trained Israeli master of the bayan (diatonic button accordion) and from the very first bars of...

Reviewed by Lemez Lovas in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Outra Praia

Outra Praia

Swami Jr

World Village WV479029

Rating: ★★

Vanessa da Mata, Zeca Baleiro, Zélia Duncan, Luciana Alves, Chico Cesar and Chico Pinheiro – the distinguished names guesting on...

Reviewed by Alex Robinson in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Vadhya Sunadha Pravaham

Vadhya Sunadha Pravaham

Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi, Mala Chandrashekar & Jaishree Jaira

Felmay FY 8152

Rating: ★★★★

It used to be unusual to come across new releases of Karnatic (South Indian) music because North Indian, or Hindustani...

Reviewed by Jameela Siddiqi in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-81

Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-81

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soundway SNDWCD016

Rating: ★★★★

At a time when so much music is being reissued and repackaged, it is heartening that there are still labels...

Reviewed by Chris Menist in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

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